Sunday 20 June marks the Day for Life, an annual celebration of the intrinsic value and dignity of every human person from conception to natural death. There will be a retiring collection to support the Church’s work of protecting life at its most vulnerable stages. For a message from Bishop Sherrington, see https://www.cbcew.org.uk/life-bishops-message-for-the-2021-day-for-life/
All posts by Parish Secretary
Lay Dominican Group
A small group of Lay Dominicans meets on the third Sunday of each month at 2:30pm – currently on Zoom – for about 60-75 minutes. We have a blend of prayer and of discussion as we consider what it means to bring the Word of God into our daily living. If you would like to know more about the Lay Dominicans or would like to join our Zoom meeting on Sunday 20th June when we shall be exploring our celebration of liturgy in a time of pandemic then contact Andy Doyle (andydoyle1066@sky.com or 0798 543 4185).
Alumni & Graduates BBQ
Saturday 3rd July. Mass at 12.15pm will be followed by a BBQ in the presbytery garden (weather and Covid restrictions permitting). Everyone is welcome, including chaplaincy alumni, 2021 graduates, parishioners and current students. Please let us know if you’re planning to come, and any dietary requirements, by emailing andrew.j.downie@durham.ac.uk
Northern Cross
The June edition of our diocesan newspaper is now available to view at www.northerncross.org.uk Please consider taking out a postal or online subscription to support the Northern Cross.
Bereavement Support
Online events this week
- Virtual Coffee Morning; Saturday at 10.30am.
- Online Gospel Reflection; Sunday at 11.00am.
- Morning Prayer: Monday to Friday at 8.00am
For login details, see the ‘St Cuthbert’s Parish Community’ Facebook page, or email margaretdoyle1066@sky.com .
Sea Sunday
Sea Sunday will be held this year on 11 July. On that day, you are asked to kindly remember seafarers and fishers in your prayers and to support the Catholic charity Stella Maris (formerly called Apostleship of the Sea). For more information, see www.stellamaris.org.uk/seasunday
Universe Catholic Media
Universe Catholic Media has ceased trading with immediate effect. Sadly, there will be no more editions of the Universe and Catholic Times. For a statement from Cardinal Vincent Nichols, see https://www.cbcew.org.uk/cardinal-expresses-sadness-as-universe-catholic-media-ltd-stops-trading/
Little Sisters of the Poor: Urgent Appeal
The Little Sisters of the Poor have launched a fundraising appeal in response to the increasing pressures faced by St. Joseph’s Care Home during the current pandemic. Details at http://www.rcdhn.org.uk/caritas/pdfdoc/2021/Diocesan%20Website%20Appeal%20April%202021.pdf
Online Retreat
Seeing in the Dark – Meeting God within struggle and uncertainty. Offered by the Sisters of the Christian Retreat. Saturday 26 June, 10am-4pm. For details, see https://www.christian-retreat.org/our-programme/seeing-in-the-dark-meeting-god-within-struggle-and-uncertainty
13 – 27 June 2021
Sunday 13 June – Sunday XI
10:00am
Open for pre-booked attendance only
6:30pm
Open for pre-booked attendance only
Tuesday 15
12:15pm
Public Mass
Wednesday 16 – St Richard of Chichester, Bishop
7:00pm
Public Mass
Friday 18
12:15pm
Public Mass
Saturday 19
9:15am
Public Mass
Martin Taylor
Sunday 20 – Sunday XII
10:00am
Open for pre-booked attendance only
6:30pm
Open for pre-booked attendance only
Tuesday 22 – SS John Fisher and Thomas More MM
12:15pm
Public Mass
Mary Jo Urqhart
Wednesday 23
7:00pm
Public Mass
Thursday 24 – The Nativity of St John the Baptist
12:15pm
Public Mass
Friday 25
9:15am
Public Mass
Sunday 27 – Sunday XIII
10:00am
Open for pre-booked attendance only
6:30pm
Open for pre-booked attendance only
Sowing the seed
We all love a good story. A story makes us think, and stimulates our imagination. Jesus often used stories – parables – as a way to get the attention of the people. He wanted his teaching not only to enter their heads, but their hearts, too.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells two little parables about seeds. Many of those listening were farmers. They knew what it was to plant seed and to wait anxiously, watching for the rain and the sunshine, hoping that the crops would grow. It would seem like a miracle when the precious crops grew and ripened and the harvest was ready at last. Jesus’ disciples knew, too, how a tiny mustard seed could grow into a tough and straggly plant.
What does the seed in the parables represent? It could stand for Jesus’ own teaching. Starting with a few disciples, he had now gathered a crowd of followers. The kingdom of God was growing, and it would go on growing. The tiny seed that Jesus planted has sprouted until, today, his disciples are all over the world. Or, the seed could stand for our own response to Jesus’ teaching; our words and actions of love. Whenever we show our care for one another and witness to our faith, we are planting seeds of the kingdom of God, and the Lord will make them grow.
St Cuthbert’s Parish Council
Ushaw Lecture
The Real Sister Act – Confronting the Uneasy History of Racial Segregation and Exclusion in Female Religious Life in the United States. Dr Shannen Dee Williams (Villanova University, USA.) Tuesday 15 June at 6.00pm, online. Register at https://centreforcatholicstudies.eventbrite.com
Public Lecture
Educating in Virtue – Appealing to the Young Mind by Corinna Turner. Thursday 24th June at 7.30pm, online. For details, see www.christianheritagecentre.com/events
Congratulations
Congratulations to Aiyana and Samuel, who will make their First Holy Communion at the 10am Mass this Sunday (6th June) and to Marcos and Michele, who will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation on the same day. Please pray for them and for their families. The Confirmation Mass will be live streamed on our YouTube channel at 3pm on Sunday.
Diocesan Refugee Project
Catholic Theology Research Seminar
Salvation as Healing and Healing as Salvation. Prof David Albert Jones (Director of the Anscombe Bioethics Centre, Oxford.) Wednesday 9 June at 5pm, online. Everyone is welcome – please register at https://centreforcatholicstudies.eventbrite.com
Centre for Catholic Studies Book Launch
How Do You Know It’s God? Discerning a Vocation to Ministry in Churches. Featuring Lynne McChlery, Mike Higton and Clare Watkins, chaired by Karen Kilby. Thursday 10 June, 5.30-6.45pm, online. Register at https://centreforcatholicstudies.eventbrite.com
Online Lectures
Orthodox Christian-Jewish Dialogue. Monday 14th June at 7.00pm. To register, contact info@appliedtheology.org.uk
Fiction as Formation; C S Lewis and the Chronicles of Narnia by Dr Rebekah Lamb. Thursday 10th June at 7.30pm, online. Details and registration at https://christianheritagecentre.com/events